Reviews Written By: A36NF437WZLQ9Eprovided by Amazon.com |
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 | Frida | |
 | "Love Is Blind" | 2009-09-24 |
| A wonderful movie about a famed relationship between opposites who were simply meant for each other. If it were a book I'd be writing that I couldn't put it down. The visual treat was just as delicious as the dialogue and the music, not to mention the historical aspect. I was entranced by it all as the movie whisked me away to an earlier time in a place foreign yet familiar.
The love story of Frida and Diego was masterly played by the two main characters. Each was definitely the strength that inspired the other in their art. My only critique of the movie was in having to hear the non-Spanish language cast attempt a Spanish accent when speaking English. Short of using mostly all Spanish actors perhaps this was unavoidable. The accents sounded okay until you heard those of Frida (played by Salma Hayek) or Antonio Banderas's character or any of the native Spanish speaking actors/actresses. It was like tasting honey in your first cup of tea, then having someone add a sugar substitute like sweet and low in your second cup. You still had a sweetness in your brew but the natural sweetener was noticeably missing. Frida Kahlo, a free thinking woman in love with a free loving man. A must movie for women and men who wonder why they stay in relationships after hurting one another so cruelly. It begs the question, what will you give up for love? | ||
 | Arch of Triumph | |
| "See Smell Smoke And Drink In France 1939" | 2009-08-09 |
| I believe they call this style of writing good literature. When a book from a different era can transport a reader back across decades to that era, The gift of reading a good writer is realized.
The Arch of Triumph is not so much a great story, but the way the story is told with such realism hypnotizes the reader. It's that much more intriguing if you have a bit of post-WWI and pre-WWII European political knowledge. The book carries the flavor of the time it portrays. Feels a bit like the movie Casablanca, but with much more street smarts. I wouldn't have thought that a novel in 1945 would talk about abortion and prostitution so openly without censorship. I suppose after a second World War in twenty years, innocence is shattered. I felt the story did get slow at times, but always looked forward to the next chapter when something or someone new was introduced revealing more of the dreaded past or dreaded future of the many characters. I liked the way the author shared Ravic's internal thoughts as a surgeon who'd operated anonymously on characters and later had dealings with the unsuspecting former patient. Though it is a love story, the sense of the inevitable approaching doom makes for a dark, dreary and lonely place to discover anything worth loving. Unfortunately, political prisoners are still being beaten and tortured throughout the world today, which makes the main character Ravic that much more a man of all times. | ||
 | The Heart Is a Lonely Hunter (Oprah's Book Club) | |
 | "A Lonely Hearts Club Story" | 2009-07-22 |
| "In the town there were two mutes, and they were always together." This opening line in Carson McCullers "The Heart Is A Lonely Hunter" lured me into a world of discovery. The story isn't one of adventure nor is it the revealing of a crime committed. The author simply sets you in a small community of 1930's southern culture and presents everyday characters in everyday circumstances. What the reader discovers is how different people and circumstances mixed into the same pot can produce a flavorful brew.
Thanks to the writing of McCullers, the meal in this book tastes like a home cooked southern meal with all the trimmings. I believe the author set a slow pace to the story to allow for easier digestion as well as contemplation of what ingredients went into the meal. The talent of a gifted writer is to be able to describe a place and people to their audience with honesty. Carson McCullers does this to perfection in this book. Though we as readers may not fully understand all the parts people play in this book, McCullers was aware of every detail she put into the making of her creation. I wasn't taken so much by the story as I was by the writing. I could have put the story down at the half-way mark and read something more exciting, but with a style of writing like McCullers you miss it as soon as you begin reading something else. To be in the presence of great literature is to discover the shortcomings of our own thinking and ideas. 3.5 stars | ||
 | Dark Waters | |
| "It Has Its Moments of True Suspense" | 2009-04-14 |
| I almost didn't watch this movie after reading a negative review on IMDB. What a treat to enjoy a movie after your expectations of it have been lowered. Sure the dark beauty Merle Oberon was "as expressionless as a marble paperweight" but it made for an even more fantastic finish. Ms. Oberon had the "beauty in distress" look throughout the movie, kind of like looking into the eyes of Max DeWinter's newly young wife when she arrived at Manderley (Rebecca 1940), only more exotic. I wonder what Hitchcock had to say about this movie? It definitely had hints of the Hitchcock touch; the shadows, the camera angles, the revelations and that score was awesome. Even the touch of French being spoken by the Acadians? was a great addition to the otherwise dull life in the bayou. Remember, Hitchcock used the French Canadian Quebec to film his movie "I Confess," which was excellent. I won't kid you though, this is not a Hitchcock, but it could be a runner-up to one of his. Hey, didn't the Cajun/Acadians originally come from Canada? Good trivia! The two bad guys (played by Thomas Mitchell and Elisha Cook, Jr) made this movie float along with the suspenseful music score. Mr. Cook is a favorite film noir character actor of mine. I liked him as George in the movie "The Killing (1956)." If you do decide to watch this movie I hope the characters and story captivate you right up to its thrilling conclusion. It sure captured my interest from beginning to end. | ||
 | Triggerfish Twist | |
 | "Serge And Company!" | 2009-03-19 |
| If you're one of US, then you'll gobble down every morsel of this book and enjoy its after-burp flavor for days. I was introduced to Tim Dorsey years ago by a homeless man who was laughing away while reading a lacerated copy of Florida Roadkill. Me, not being one to be left out of a good joke, approached the scraggy specimen and inquired. So began my trip to Florida with guides Serge Storms and company leading the way. My recent reading of Triggerfish Twist was a visit long overdue. I honestly didn't want the craziness of the story to end. Mind you, many of the one-liners might skip right over a novices head, but don't worry, you'll be too wrapped up in the story to notice. For those of us who can gobble down every noun and verb thrown our way by Dorsey, I advise you to empty your bowels and get ready for a full course meal of fun, laughter, Florida facts and criminal intentions. Nobody knows that body of land that looks like a turd being squeezed from the butt of the United States like Tim Dorsey and Serge do. Bon Appetite! | ||
 | Triggerfish Twist | |
| "Serge And Company!" | 2009-03-19 |
| If you're one of US, then you'll gobble down every morsel of this book and enjoy its after-burp flavor for days. I was introduced to Tim Dorsey years ago by a homeless man who was laughing away while reading a lacerated copy of Florida Roadkill. Me, not being one to be left out of a good joke, approached the scraggy specimen and inquired. So began my trip to Florida with guides Serge Storms and company leading the way. My recent reading of Triggerfish Twist was a visit long overdue. I honestly didn't want the craziness of the story to end. Mind you, many of the one-liners might skip right over a novices head, but don't worry, you'll be too wrapped up in the story to notice. For those of us who can gobble down every noun and verb thrown our way by Dorsey, I advise you to empty your bowels and get ready for a full course meal of fun, laughter, Florida facts and criminal intentions. Nobody knows that body of land that looks like a turd being squeezed from the butt of the United States like Tim Dorsey and Serge do. Bon Appetite! | ||
 | Rebecca's Tale | |
| "A story to be nibbled on, not gulped down!" | 2008-12-14 |
| I honestly found it hard to put this book down. Not only does this book enlighten us to some of the mysteries in Daphne De Maurier's "Rebecca," but it guides us down haunting corridors of its own making. After reading "Rebecca's Tale" I have a fonder appreciation for the original story. For those who found this book a letdown to the first Rebecca, maybe you should seek out Ms. Danvers and relish in the memory of Rebecca and only Rebecca. To a titled review that read "I wasted my entire Saturday evening for this," I responded with the following: Yes, you wasted an entire Saturday evening trying to gobble down a delicate dish that should've been nibbled on. I have a hard time believing that anyone who enjoyed Daphne Du Maurier's "Rebecca" would find this book anything but hauntingly superb. I won't criticize you're style of reading (gulping down paragraphs to reach a wishful climatic ending), but I do warn all readers of this novel against trying too hard to link it with the novel "Rebecca." When simply read as a stand-alone mystery, "Rebecca's Tale" evolves into a wonderful world of discovery. That discovery includes the enlightenment of the character of "Rebecca" if we allow ourselves the time and patience to be led to her. If however you've come to this book looking only for answers to preconceived notions based on the first novel, then you'll be wasting your Saturdays and much more. But I must admit, those first lines (Last Night I Dreamt I Went To Manderley Again) do lure a reader into dreaming of Manderley as it was in Rebecca's time. Reviewer, you are forgiven. | ||
 | Notes from the Hyena's Belly : An Ethiopian Boyhood | |
| "A Very Enjoyable Read" | 2007-03-27 |
| Why I enjoyed Notes from the Hyena's Belly? The writing, the wisdom, the history, the survival. If you enjoy having a narrarator walk you through a book showing you the real people, places and happenings that were "Once Upon A Time," then you may just find this book to be a treasure. I myself enjoyed the way this author held my inner voice's attention. It was almost as if I were sitting at his home while he spoke of the life experiences that make him the person now sitting before me. Because I'm such an avid reader, I did put this book down a few times to indulge in other reads. I did this knowing that when I'd pick it back up I'd have a great companion to spend time with. I almost hated to see the book conclude. The fact that I'm writing only my second or third amazon review says how much I enjoyed this read. Hope you decide to visit the Hyena's Belly. You won't be disappointed. | ||
 | Angels & Demons | |
 | "Thank Goodness It Was A Fast Read" | 2006-11-30 |
| I really wanted to like this book. At first I cherished carrying around the thick 569 page hardcover enjoying the ease of which Dan Brown's writing can be read. But something happened midway through the story. The story that began with so much scientific intelligence and religious tradition suddenly took on a MacGyver-like air. The book started to truly test my intelligence and patience. As I pushed toward the story's conclusion I realized the best of it had already come and gone some time ago. Anti-climatic might be a word to describe this story. Or maybe I'm just out of touch with the new Video Game style of story plots in books and movies. | ||
 | Pride of Puerto Rico: The Life of Roberto Clemente by Paul Robert Walker, ISBN 0152005625 | |
| "Book of Pride" | 2006-07-12 |
| I enjoyed this book so much. Coincidently I finished it just before seeing a ceremony in honor of Roberto Clemente with his widow Vera present at the 2006 MLB All-Star game. From reading this book I understand why the word "Pride" is always used when discussing Roberto Clemente. This book carres the theme of Roberto's pride from beginning to end. Pride not only in himself but in his family and country. Many may say this is not a book about baseball, but those who know the magic of baseball understand that you can't seperate the game from the players. It is the great person in the player that makes the game of baseball so wonderful. Roberto was a great baseball player and an even greater man. Puerto Rico should feel honored in having him as one of their native sons. | ||
 | Pride of Puerto Rico: The Life of Roberto Clemente | |
| "Book of Pride" | 2006-07-12 |
| I enjoyed this book so much. Coincidently I finished it just before seeing a ceremony in honor of Roberto Clemente with his widow Vera present at the 2006 MLB All-Star game. From reading this book I understand why the word "Pride" is always used when discussing Roberto Clemente. This book carres the theme of Roberto's pride from beginning to end. Pride not only in himself but in his family and country. Many may say this is not a book about baseball, but those who know the magic of baseball understand that you can't seperate the game from the players. It is the great person in the player that makes the game of baseball so wonderful. Roberto was a great baseball player and an even greater man. Puerto Rico should feel honored in having him as one of their native sons. | ||
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